It’s unlikely that diabetes is on the forefront of your mind as we approach the end of the year and a busy holiday season, but November is Diabetes Awareness Month and now is really a better time than ever to think about your own personal risk factors for the development of this complex and chronic condition. Diabetes Mellitus is the name given to a group of metabolic diseases that are caused by the body’s decreased ability to utilize sugar appropriately. These diseases are ultimately caused by defects in the way that the body uses and/or makes insulin. Insulin is a very important hormone secreted by the pancreas that allows our tissues to absorb sugar in the bloodstream from the food that we eat, in addition to performing a number of other important functions. When the pancreas cannot make insulin or the tissues in our body become resistant to its effects, this results in high levels of sugar in the blood, otherwise known as hyperglycemia. Persistent hyperglycemia can cause many bothersome symptoms and both short and long-term complications, ranging anywhere from persistent nausea and fatigue to heart attack, strokes, chronic kidney disease, blindness, poor circulation, and nerve damage. Diabetes has the potential to affect literally every organ in our bodies. Somewhat surprisingly, perhaps, diabetes can can also be entirely asymptomatic. Regardless of the severity of symptoms, persistent hyperglycemia is an extremely serious condition that still puts one at risk for the complications noted above. Therefore, screening those at risk is a crucial first step in managing this condition.

It is estimated that about 30 million Americans live with a form of diabetes, most of whom have type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease of the pancreas that is typically diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, type 2 diabetes typically develops during adulthood and has a slow and insidious onset. There are several factors that increase your likelihood of developing diabetes. If any of the following conditions or situations apply to you, you should talk to your healthcare provider about screening for diabetes:

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Overweight or obese
• First-degree relative with diabetes (such as your mother, father, or sibling)
• African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander race/ethnicity
• Hypertension
• Dyslipidemia (specifically, low HDL levels and high triglyceride levels)
• PCOS
• History of cardiovascular disease
• History of gestational diabetes or delivering a baby > 9 lbs.

There are several types of tests available to screen for diabetes. The easiest tests that can be ordered during a routine office visit include a fasting glucose level or a hemoglobin A1c. A fasting glucose level of over 126 mg/dl or a hemoglobin A1c level over 6.5% is considered to be diagnostic for diabetes, though these tests should be repeated to confirm their accuracy. Any test that is borderline high is consistent with pre-diabetes, which is essentially a warning sign that you are likely to develop diabetes without an intervention. While several of the risk factors listed above are beyond one’s control, like family history or ethnicity, many of them are, of course, modifiable. The best way to prevent diabetes for those who are predisposed is to engage in a regular exercise routine, work on portion control, and reducing or eliminating consumption of foods that are high in sugar – such as sweets and sodas. These sorts of changes can be extremely challenging, so don’t ever hesitate to let your healthcare provider know if you need additional help or support. There is also a prescription medication called metformin that can be taken to help your body use sugar more appropriately, which can in turn help to prevent the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes. This medication is most effective when it is used in combination with lifestyle changes.

While the holiday season may not seem like the best time to think about your health, it can provide a great opportunity to learn more about your risk factors for diabetes as you connect with family members and reflect on your own health histories and habits. This is really the first step in determining whether you are at risk for diabetes, and the next is to speak to your healthcare provider to learn more about screening and risk reduction. Our priority as healthcare providers is to offer you non-judgmental guidance and support as we work with you to optimize your health and minimize your risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, and, most importantly, to remind you that big changes start in small ways.